Continuous bleaching apparatus.



- A PATENTEDAUG. 1, 1905. M. MUNTADAS Y ROVIR CONTINUOUS BLEAGHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1904.

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- v PATENTED AUG. 1, 1905; M. MUNTADAS YIROYIRA. CONTINUOUS BLEAGHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION II-LIBD SEPT. 24, 1904.

. Inventor chambers.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

- MANUEL MUNTADAS Y ROVIRA, OF BARCELONA, SPAIN.

CONTINUOUS BLEACHING APPA-FVRATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1905.

Application filed September 24,1904. Serial No. 225,864.

.ROVIRA, a subject of the King of Spain, re-

siding at Barcelona, Spain, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Continuous Bleaching Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in continuous bleaching apparatus, and is a specific improvement on the apparatus described in my former patent, N 0. 761,107 ,dated May 31, 1904. a

My invention relates to an apparatus forming a series of treating-chambers wherein the fabric is accumulated while being subjected to a liXiviation in each chamber, and these chambers are so disposed that the lye-acts therein in a methodical order, said chambers being also subjected to a different pressure generally increasing from one another. The fabric is caused to pass through the lye before entering the corresponding chamber, and after a first liXiviation it is washed out with water, said washing-water being-separated or conveyed out of the chamber. After the second'lixiviation the fabric passes between a couple of cleansing-rollers, and after the last liXiviation it is subjected to a methodical washing, the pressure gradually increasing from the ends to the center of the apparatus. To this effect, the liXiviation-chambers are separated from each other, as Well as the former and the latter are also from the atmosphere, by means of one or several compart under pressure and liquid columns or sealsformed by the washing-water or by the lye intended to operate upon the fabric, such liquid columns or seals being sufficient to ba ance the difference of pressure between the The liXiviation-chambers will be sufficient in practice and the fabric will receive in each chamber or compartment a stronger pressure up to 1.5 atmospheres. The number of compartments of the apparatus depend on the height and inner pressure thereof, as if one liquid column was not sufficient to balance the difference of pressure two or more columns or seals might be disposed. The inner Walls or partitions are combined with conducting-rollers in order that .tion to take place.

the fabric may travel quite extended crosswise from one end to the other and passing through all of the chambers, compartments, I fit my apparaand seals of the apparatus. tus with such mechanical devices or means for forming the liquid columns so that the washing-Water enters the apparatus by the discharging end of the fabric and flows through all of the liquid columns till the last lixiviatingchamber, (counting in the direction of the movements of the fabric,) in which it is mixed with the most alkaline lye to form the normal.

solution, thus recovering the lye carried on by the fabric. The lye flows also in reverse direction or in counter-current from the last liX- iviating-chamber, forming the several liquid columns, to the end of the apparatus, where it arrives only in the quantity just necessary. .to replace the lye which has been taken off by the passage of the fabric. One or several liquid columnsplaced between the first and the second liXiviating-chambers are formed by water comingfrom abroad or from the other end of the apparatus. In this case the lye passes from one seal to the other by means of a bent pipe, which substitutes the liquid columnor columns that would be necessary to balance the difference of pressures. The water or the lye circulating in the apparatus is delivered into the corresponding chamber by any mechanical means. If it enters therein at the lower level of the seal, it overflows from the upper level of this seal into the lower level of the neXt seal; but if the movement was to be performed in a contrary direction the circulation would take lace by means of pumps or any mechanica device. The steam-pressure in each chamber is regulated according to the level of the liquid by means of any mechanical device-for in stance, by valves actuated byfloats or by electromagnets or other equivalent means. In order to produce an eflicient lixiviation, the. fabric must remain in thechamber during the time required for the chemical reac- To this end I employ either a folding device in combination with an usual curved boX' to accumulate the fabrictherein, or thedouble-coil rolling system hereinafter described, which constitutes a part of my invention. According to the products of the saponification may be removed between said accumulation.

Figures 1 and 2 are vertical, transverse, and horizontal sections of my improved apparatus. Fig. 3 shows a similar construction of the a paratus adapted to the accumulation of t e fabric under the double-coil rolling system, the bottom of the chambers serving as the lower branch of the seals. Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are diagrammatic views showing the rolling system. Fig. 8 is another diagrammatical view of a mechanical arrangement for obtaining this result. Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrammatical views of the combination of double accumulations. Fig. 11 represents the arrangement adapted to obtain the differential motion of the rollers. Figs. 12, 13, and 14 show a similar arrangement of the double-coil rolling system. Figs. 15 and 16 are sectional views showing the manner in which the chambers may be easily emptied and filled again in case that any difficulty arises in the work of the apparatus.

The main principle of my improved apparatus is the same as that described in my patent above referred to. In the present apparatus, however, the fabric is rolled up in a double coil and unrolled in each of the separate chambers instead of the simplex system shown in my patent.

i The double-coil rolling system, or compound system, is carried out by means of two acumulating-rollers, and when the fabric passes at one side of the rollers the arrangement slightly differs from that adopted when the fabric passes between said rollers. In the former case I employ the means illustrated in the diagrammatical views, Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7. Referring to said figures, we suppose that a fabric 2, passing over the rollers B B, Fig. 4, is pulled down by the proper weight of a rod 1), adapted to move in the groove E. Said rod '0 will successively occupy the positions 1) o, and it will fall into an open box F, to which a motion is imparted in the direction shown by the arrows, thus causing the fabric to roll in double coil upon said box, as shownin Fig. 5. wound upon the box F, Fig. 5, is then shifted over from left to right, as shown in Fig. 6, and if a new open box and rod are properly arranged at that side, the fabric will pass from the position 2 to that of 2, and if when it is in the latter position the box F is revolved in the direction of the arrow the fabor unrolled, as shown in Fig. 7, the box F is If the roll of double coilreplaced in the position F, Fig. 6, and the fabric will continue to move forward in the same direction, and this direction will remain the same provided that the operation is continuously repeated.

The means by which the fabric is rolled and unrolled in double coil while passing eontinuously through the machine will now be described, reference being made to Fig. 8. I dispose three rollers D D I), provided with teeth or card-clothing or other equ' mlent means, to strongly catch or subject the fabric in order that when it is unrolled from D, whereon it has been previously rolled in double coil, one of the sheets .9, goes away through the rollers B, while the other sheet S, is caught by the teeth or card-points of the roller D, and after successively taking the positions t t t it rolls upon I) in double coil, while at the same time the fabric is unrolled from D. After this the shaft C is rotated in the sense of the arrow, thus forcing the roller D to take the position D. Roller D takes the position D and D takes the position I), whereupon the same operations are repeated as described.

In order to procure a constant lineal speed to the fabric when rolling in spite of the successively-moreasing diameter of the roller, l. adopt the following device, Fig. 11, which consists of a disk .70 revolving at a constant angular speed by means of the gear-wheel m on shaft The disk at, Fig. ll, moves the frictional pulley Zt', which. rotates by friction the disk 76 on the shaft Zr of the roll which is being filled. Both. disks are parallel to each other, as are also their shafts, and the friction-pulley is placed between the disks and between the shafts. 'lhe pulley Zr may longitudinally move or slide upon its shafts, and it is supported by the bar Z, which is moved by a cam Z, rotated by shaft through worms j, j, and Z, so that one revolution of the cam Z will correspond with the number of revolutions wanted to fill up the roll. As the disks a; and Zr are arranged so as to overlap each other, the pulley I." being between them, it is obvious that considerable differences in speed may be obtained by a slight shifting of said pulley on its axle. lf these disks are ninety centilmiters in diameter, by moving the pulley Zr twenty-live centimeters variations in speed from one to live may be.

obtained.

hen the fabric passes between the aecunnrlating-rollers, I employ the mechanism shown in Fig. 12. Two open boxes F F are disposed in combination with a groove I wherein the rod 1) slides toward the boxes. The fabric 2 is stretchedbetween rollers B B. Suppose that the rod 1; pulls the fabric z down into the box .F till it reaches the position 1), a double coil will be rolled up on said box. If afterward, Fig. 13, another rod 1 pulls the fabric down into F to the position 'y, a second roll will be wound up on said box, 7

one sheet coming from the roller F and the other sheet being the fabric itself, while the second sheet of the roller F goes out through rollers B. After this, Fig. 14, the rod '0 leaves the groove, the sheet that was going out through B remains now as if it was coming from the roller F, and if at that moment a third rod is engaged in the groove, as shown in Fig. 12, a new double-coil roll will be formed on F, while the roll F is unrolled, and as it will be seen, the fabric .2. moves always forward in the same direction.

Fig. 3 shows a modification of the apparatus and means for carrying said operation into effect. In order to roll and unroll thefabric in double sheet, I dispose in the chambers 1 2 3 the rollers D D, provided with points or card-clothing and properly supported by a rocking lever or beam N. The rollers D D are caused to revolve by friction on the rollers M m The fabric 2 is conveyed by'the rollers N and passes over the rollers N, secured to the rocking lever or beam N. In the position shown in chambers 2 and 3 the rollers N are'pulling the.

fabric on theroller D in order to roll'it thereon in double coil, while'in the position shown in chamber the fabric is applied on the roll D to roll it thereupon.

As shown in Fig. 3 there is only a couple of accumulating-rollers D D within each chamber; but in some cases where a larger accumulationis necessary I may arrange in such chamber or chambers two or more couples of ac'cumulatedrollers, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10} There are two couples of accumulating-rollers R T and R T, and the fabric 2' may take an inner tangential position, as in Fig. 9, or an outer one, as in Fig. 10. In both cases I may dispose between said rollers a lixiviation-bath or a washingbath, as shown in my prior patent already referred to.

A further improvement of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 3 and consists in the arrangement of the bottom of the chambers so that it may be utilized as the lower branch of the seals, which leads to an average of one vertical partition or wall in each seal,

During the work of the apparatus it may be necessary to stopit or'to visit its inner parts. In this case in order that the several lyes do not become mixed with each other and in order to avoid the loss of heat I place in connection with each lixiviation or washing chamber a receptacle 9, Figs. 15 and 16, communicating with the bottom of the chamber by means of a pipe t, descending near the bottom of said receptacle. The pipe 01 communicates with the steam-supply '11 and with the upper part of the apparatus, and it will be seen, therefore, that the water or lye may quickly pass into the receptacleg at any moment, and when it is desired to fill again the apparatus the steam-pressure itself will be sufiicient to pull again the liquid into the apparatus.

.The advantages of my improved apparatus may be pointed out as follows: First. By cleansing and washing the fabric after it issues from the first lixiviation-chamber and by taking off'the impure water therefrom it is possible to eliminate thesaponified prod- 1 which dissolves or destroys the most refractory impurities and procures the best utilization of the lye. Second. The cleansing of the fabric after the second lixiviation eliminates the products of saponification formed and facilitates the action of the subsequent lixiviation upon the fabric. Third. By delivering the washing-water into the concentrated lye to mix therewith and to form the normal solution of work it is possibleto recover the lye together with'the heat of the washing-water. FourthhThe adoption of rollers upon which the fabric is repeatedly wound in double coils permits the construction of apparatus having a great capacity without comparatively increasing its length. Fifth. By means- 0f the exhaust-receptacle it is possible to visit the apparatus atany moment without any loss of lye and preventing that the differently-concentrated lyes circulating in the apparatus may be come mixed with each other. Sixth. N otwithstanding that in practice three lixiviating-chambers are sufiicient, a greater number of them may be disposed without com-v paratively increasing the dimensions of the apparatus. Its-height may be diminished withoutchanging the innerpressure by increasing the-number of liquid seals to balance the difference of pressure.

Having thus described my invention and in what manner the same is'to be performed,

,I declare that what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States,

chambers forming a series of vats adapted to be separated by liquid seals, means for delivering cleansing agents into said casing, and means whereby the fabric under treatment is rolled and'unrolled in a double, fold during its passage through saidvats, substantially as described.

2. In a continuous bleaching apparatus, the combination of a casing divided into chambers forming a series of vats adapted to be separated from each other by liquid seals, means for delivering cleansing agents intosaid casing, driving means for causing a fabric or other material under treatment to pass continuously through said vats, and means for causing thematerial under treatment to be rolled and unrolled in a double fold dur ing its passage through said vats, substantially as described.

3. In a continuous bleaching apparatus, the combination of a casing divided into chambers forming vats adapted to be separated from each other by liquid seals, means for delivering cleansing agents into said casing, means for causing a fabric or other ma terial under treatment to pass into and out of said casing at a uniform rate of speed, and means whereby the fabric is rolled and unrolled in a double fold during its passage through said vats, substantially as described.

4. In a continuous bleaching apparatus, the combination of a casing divided into chambers forming vats adapted to be separated from each other by liquid seals, means for delivering cleansing agents into said casing, means for causing a fabric or other material under treatment to travel through said casing, means whereby the fabric is rolled and unrolled in a double fold during its passage through said vats, and automaticallyoperating means for varying the speed of the rolling and unrolling means according to the size of the rolls of material, substantially as described.

5. In a continuous bleaching apparatus, the combination of a casing divided into chambers by means of partitions forming vats adapted to be separated by liquid seals, means for delivering cleansing agents in solution into said casing, which agents also form liquid seals between said vats, means for causing a fabric or other material to be treated to travel through said casing, means whereby said material is rolled and unrolled in a double fold during its passage through said vats, and means for subjecting said material during its passage through said casing to varying steam-pressures, substantially as described.

6. In a continuous bleaching apparatus, the combination of a casing divided into chambers forming vats adapted to be separated by liquid seals, means for delivering lye and water to said chambers, means for causing a fabric or other material to be treated to pass steadily through said casing, said material in its passage being subjected first to the most impure lye and successively to purer solutions of lye, and at the discharge end of the apparatus being subjected first to the impurer portion of the \\'aslr-wa.ter, and then gradually passing into purer portions of the wash-water, means for subjecting the material under treatment to varying steam-pressures as it passes through said casing, and means whereby said material is rolled and unrolled in a double fold during its passage through said vats, substantially as described.

7. In a continuous bleaching apparatus, the combination of a casing provided with partitions which divide said easing into chambers forming vats adapted to be separated by liquid seals, means for delivering wash-water to one end of said apparatus, means for delivering lye or a similar cleansing agent into said casing near its center, means for causing a fabric to pass continuously through said casing, means for causing a current of wash-water and a current of lye to pass through said casing in a direction opposite to the travel of said fabric, means for conducting the wash-water out of said casing without letting it come in contact with the lye solution, and means for rolling and unrolling the fabric in a double fold as it passes through said vats, substantially as described.

8. In a continuous bleaching ap mratus, the combination of a casing provided with partitions dividing it into chambers forming vats'adapted to be separated by liquid seals, means for supplying liquid cleansing agents to said casing, means for causing a fabric to pass continuously through said casing at a uniform rate of speed, and means for rolling and unrolling said material during its passage through said vessels, said means including a plurality of shiftable rollers, a pivoted lever supporting them, means for gripping the material under treatment, and means for operating said rollers, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I a l'lix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

lllANUllh IllUN'lxlliAS Y lttlYllld. Witnesses:

MANUEL CHALBAND, PEDRO CnALnANn. 

